Assisi, located in a green rural area in the heart of Umbria, is a moderately small and incredibly beautiful city. Located 174 km North-East of Rome, is home to the Franciscan and Clare orders.St. Francis (San Francesco, in Italian) was born to a rich family. His father, Pietro de Bourlemont, wished his son would follow his footsteps. Contrary to his father’s dreams, Francesco loved the poor and decided to devote his life to them. He even chose to be buried with the poor. St Francis was so humble, and his humble prayer goes:

Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console,
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
It is in dying to self that we are born to eternal life.

San Francesco is one of the two patron saints of Italy (the other being Santa Chiara), patron of the animals and the environment as well. He is the first Roman Catholic stigmatic. And it was him who first introduced the reenactment of the Nativity Scene during Christmas time. In addition, St Francis was successful founder of three orders.
Assisi is connected to Rome by train, car and bus, and even by airplane (St. Francis of Assisi airport, in the city of Perugia) should your departing point be farther; and it’s a very fantastic place for a day visit. Do not hesitate to ask our staff at Hotel Des Artistes for more info and suggestions!